cantilena

views updated May 23 2018

cantilena (It.; Fr. cantilène). Cradle song.
1. Smooth, melodious (and not rapid) vocal writing (used operatically esp. in relation to R. Strauss) or perf.

2. (now obsolete). Short song.

3. In choral mus., the part carrying the main tune.

4. Type of solfeggio in which all the notes of the scale appeared.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Music MICHAEL KENNEDY and JOYCE BOURNE

cantilena

views updated May 18 2018

can·ti·le·na / ˌkantlˈēnə/ • n. Mus. a lyrical vocal or instrumental melody in a composition.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

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